Smoke detector housing and surface mount

ABSTRACT

A smoke detector includes detector mount that can define a cavity into which air can flow to a detector component of a detector body engaged with the detector mount. The detector mount can include a base, e.g., that defines a cavity into which air can flow and/or into which a portion of the detector body can extend, and an intermediate component that can removably engage with both the base and the detector body so the base is engaged with the detector body via the intermediate component. The intermediate component can include fins or other features to direct air flow in the cavity to one or more portions of the detector body.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/320,406 filed May 14, 2021.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to smoke detectors and other surface-mounteddevices, e.g., that include a replaceable battery.

BACKGROUND

Smoke detectors are commonly used to detect room or other spaceconditions, such as smoke, fire, carbon monoxide, and other potentiallyhazardous conditions. Many smoke detectors include a replaceablebattery, e.g., at least for providing backup power if a mains powersource is interrupted.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In some aspects, a smoke detector includes a mount that has two parts,e.g., a base that is configured to be secured to a surface such as aceiling and an intermediate component that can be removably attachableto both the base and a detector body (which can house smoke, fire andother environmental sensors). The two part detector mount can providefor more flexible configurations of the detector and/or easier use ofthe detector, such as by allowing for easier attachment of the base to aceiling and/or configuration of the detector for different operatingconditions. For example, since the base need not include functional orother components included with the intermediate component (such as finsor other air movement influencing parts), the base can include larger,additional or otherwise more conveniently accessed features to securethe base to the surface. This can allow the base to be more easilymounted to a wider variety of different mounting surfaces. Also, sincethe base can be interconnected with the detector body by theintermediate component, a single base construction can be employed withdifferently configured detector bodies or intermediate components. Thiscan allow for the flexible configuration of the detector for differentenvironments, e.g., which may require different air flow requirementsand/or detection features. As an example, the intermediate component canfunction as an adapter to permit use of the detector mount withdifferent detector body arrangements, e.g., that may be required toprovide different sensor, air flow or other features. In addition,functional features such as fins or other elements to guide air flow canbe provided with the intermediate component, and so differentintermediate component arrangements can be exchanged to providedifferent air flow or other functional effects. Thus, by interchangingintermediate components, a smoke detector can be configured fordifferent operating environments. Moreover, since the intermediatecomponent need not include features for mounting to a ceiling or othersurface, functional features can be provided on the intermediatecomponent in any suitable way without concern for ceiling or othersurface mount limitations.

In some embodiments, a smoke detector can include a tamper indicatorthat is movable to prevent engagement of a detector body with a detectormount and/or positioning of a cover to at least partially cover abattery location if a battery is not held at the battery location. Insome cases the detector mount can include both a base and anintermediate component, and the tamper indicator can prevent engagementof the intermediate component with the detector body if a battery is notat the battery location. The intermediate component can act as a cover,e.g., to at least partially cover the battery location, and can functionto interconnect the base and the detector body. Thus, the tamperindicator and intermediate component/cover can provide a convenientindication to a user that a battery is required, e.g., because a usercan learn that a battery has not been suitably placed at a batterylocation before the user attempts to mount the detector to a ceiling orwall. For example, in configurations where a tamper indicator preventsengagement of a detector body with a base that is mounted to a ceiling,the user will only learn that a battery is required after the user tries(and fails) to mount the detector body onto the ceiling-mounted base.This can be inconvenient, e.g., because the user may have climbed aladder to mount the detector body to the base, only to learn that abattery is required for mounting. In contrast, in embodiments where adetector mount includes a base and intermediate component, the user canlearn that a battery is required prior to climbing a ladder or otherwiseacting to mount the detector body because engagement of the intermediatecomponent with the detector body is performed (or attempted) before thedetector body is mounted to a wall or ceiling. With a battery suitablyprovided at the battery location of the detector body, the intermediatecomponent can be first engaged with the detector body, e.g., beforeclimbing a ladder, and then the combined detector body and intermediatecomponent mounted to the base.

In some embodiments, a smoke detector includes a detector body withcomponents to detect an environmental condition at the smoke detector,such as smoke, fire, heat, combustion gasses, etc. A detector mount canbe configured to support the smoke detector on a surface, and caninclude a base configured to be secured to the surface and anintermediate component configured to removably engage with both the baseand the detector body such that the base is engaged with the detectorbody via the intermediate component. In some cases, the intermediatecomponent can be required for engagement of the detector body with thebase, i.e., the detector body cannot be engaged with or mounted to thebase without the intermediate component.

In some cases, the intermediate component includes fins or otherfeatures to direct air flow toward a detector component of the detectorbody. For example, the intermediate component can include an openingthrough which the detector component receives air and the fins can beconfigured to direct air flow toward the opening. In some embodimentsthe opening is located at a center of the intermediate component and aportion of the detector body can extend through the opening, e.g., sothe detector body can receive air through the opening.

In some embodiments, the intermediate component and the detector bodyare configured to engage by rotation of the intermediate componentrelative to the detector body. For example, the intermediate componentcan include a periphery having one or more tabs, e.g., that extendradially outwardly from the periphery, configured to engage with acorresponding hook on the detector body. In some cases, the detectorbody can include one or more hooks configured to engage with acorresponding slot of the intermediate component, e.g., by positioning ahook in a corresponding slot and rotating the intermediate component sothe hook engages a portion of the intermediate component at an end ofthe slot. In some embodiments, the one or more hooks can each include aramp configured to engage with and move the intermediate component awayfrom the detector body in response to rotation of the intermediatecomponent in a direction opposite to that in which the intermediatecomponent and detector body can engage with each other. Such anarrangement can positively disengage the intermediate component from thedetector body and signal to a user that disengagement is complete.

In some embodiments, the intermediate component and the base can beconfigured to engage by rotation of the intermediate component relativeto the base. For example, the intermediate component can include aperiphery having one or more tabs, e.g., equally spaced around theperiphery, configured to engage with a corresponding hook on the base.

In some cases, the intermediate component is configured to at leastpartially cover a battery location of the detector body when theintermediate component is engaged with the detector body. Thus, thedetector body and intermediate component can be removed together fromthe base, and then the intermediate component removed from the detectorbody to replace a battery. With the battery replacement complete, theintermediate component can be re-engaged with the detector body, and thecombined detector body and intermediate component mounted to the base.

In some cases, the base can define a cavity or other space into whichair can be received for delivery to a detector component of the detectorbase and/or into which a portion of the intermediate component ordetector body can be received. In some embodiments, the base can includea sidewall with openings to permit air flow into a space defined by thebase. The space can be at least partially enclosed by the base and theintermediate component, and/or a portion of the intermediate componentor detector body can be received into the space.

In some embodiments, a smoke detector includes a detector body having adetector component to detect an environmental condition at the smokedetector, such as one or more detector components to detect smoke, heat,carbon monoxide, etc. A detector mount can be configured to be securedto a surface and to support the smoke detector on the surface, such ason a ceiling. The detector mount can include a base configured to besecured to the surface and that has a sidewall with one or more openingsto admit air into a cavity defined at least in part by the base. Thedetector body can be configured to receive air from the cavity fordetecting the environmental condition using the detector component. Forexample, air can enter the cavity via the one or more openings at thebase sidewall and can flow in the cavity to an air receiving area of thedetector body (e.g., one or more openings of the detector body thatreceives air for the detector component to operate on).

In some embodiments, the detector mount includes an intermediatecomponent configured to removably engage with both the base and thedetector body such that the base is engaged with the detector body viathe intermediate component. Thus, the intermediate component can berequired to mount the detector body to the base, although this is notalways required. In some cases the intermediate component can beconfigured to direct air flow in the cavity toward an air receiving areaof the detector body. For example, the intermediate component caninclude fins or other features to direct air flow toward the detectorcomponent of the detector body or an opening of the detector bodythrough which air is received. In some cases, the intermediate componentcan be configured to at least partially enclose the cavity with thebase, and a portion of the detector body can extend into the cavitydefined by the base and the intermediate component. As an example, atleast part of a detector component can be positioned in the cavity toreceive air. The intermediate component can include an opening throughwhich air can flow to the detector body (e.g., via an opening in thedetector body), and fins or other elements can direct air flow in thecavity toward the opening in the intermediate component.

In some embodiments, a smoke detector includes a detector body with abattery location configured to receive and hold a battery for use byelectronic components of the smoke detector. A detector mount can beconfigured to be secured to a surface and to support the smoke detectoron the surface, and can be configured to releasably engage the detectorbody so as to at least partially cover the battery location. Forexample, the detector mount can include a base configured to be securedto the surface and an intermediate component configured to engage withthe detector body, e.g., to at least partially cover the batterylocation. A tamper indicator can be configured for movement between afirst position in which the tamper indicator is positioned when abattery is held at the battery location and a second position in whichthe tamper indicator is positioned when no battery is held at thebattery location. The tamper indicator and the detector mount can beconfigured to prevent engagement of the detector body with the detectormount with the tamper indicator in the second position and to permitengagement of the detector body with the detector mount with the tamperindicator in the first position. For example, where the detector mountincludes an intermediate component, the tamper indicator can preventengagement of the intermediate component with the detector body if thetamper indicator is in the second position. In some cases, the base canbe configured to engage with the detector body via the intermediatecomponent, e.g., the intermediate component can be required to engagethe detector body with the base.

In some embodiments, the tamper indicator is configured to pivot betweenthe first and second positions about a pivot axis that is oriented alonga direction in which the battery is received at the battery location.For example, the detector body can have an upper surface arranged in aplane and the tamper indicator can be configured to pivot between thefirst and second positions about a pivot axis that is orientedperpendicular to the plane. In some cases, the detector body and thedetector mount can be configured to engage by relative rotation about anengagement axis, and the tamper indicator can be configured to pivotbetween the first and second positions about a pivot axis that isoriented along a direction parallel to the engagement axis. In someembodiments, the tamper indicator can be configured to both pivot abouta pivot axis and slide along the pivot axis in movement between thefirst and second positions. For example, the tamper indicator can beconfigured to pivot within the battery location about the pivot axisbetween the first and second positions and to have a portion thatextends out of the battery location when the tamper indicator is in thesecond position. In some embodiments, the tamper indicator can movealong a spiral ramp between the first and second positions. The tamperindicator can be resiliently biased to move toward the second positionand be configured such that a battery at the battery location holds thetamper indicator at the first position.

The tamper indicator can prevent engagement of the detector mount andthe detector body in different ways. For example, the tamper indicatorin the second position can be configured to prevent positioning of thedetector mount suitably adjacent the detector body for engagement of thedetector body with the detector mount. In some cases, the tamperindicator in the second position can be configured to prevent rotationof the detector mount relative to the detector body for engagement ofthe detector body with the detector mount, e.g., the tamper indicatorcan prevent rotation of an intermediate component relative to thedetector body for engagement.

Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description of various non-limiting embodiments whenconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying figures and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the systems and methods described herein are described withreference to the following drawings in which numerals reference likeelements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a smoke detector in anillustrative embodiment;

FIG. 2 is top perspective view of the FIG. 1 smoke detector;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the FIG. 1 smoke detector with thedetector body and intermediate component removed from the mount base;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the FIG. 1 smoke detector with theintermediate component separated from the detector body;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the intermediate component of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the intermediate component of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the detector body of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 8 is a partial cutaway view of the detector body illustrating atamper indicator; and

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a tamper indicator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the systems and methods described herein are described belowby way of one or more illustrative embodiments. It should be understoodthat the illustrative embodiments described are not intended to limitthe aspects, but rather to help show how one or more aspects can beimplemented in particular examples. Also, aspects can be implementedalone and/or in combination with other aspects. For example, someaspects below relate to a detector with a two-part mount having a baseand intermediate component, whereas other aspects relate to a tamperindicator that is movable based on whether a battery is received at abattery location and if not received, can prevent engagement of thedetector body with a mount. In yet other aspects, a detector mount candefine a cavity into which air can be received and transmitted to adetector component of the detector body. These aspects and others can beemployed together, individually and/or in any suitable sub combinationwith each other, e.g., a detector can include a two-part mountarrangement but not include a tamper indicator and/or air receivingcavity, or a detector can employ a tamper indicator with a single partmount and/or no air receiving cavity.

In some aspects, a smoke detector can include a body (e.g., housing oneor more detector components for detecting smoke, fire, heat, carbonmonoxide, fine particulates and/or other environmental conditions) and adetector mount that includes two parts—a base that can be secured to aceiling or other surface on which the detector is supported and anintermediate component that is positioned between the base and thedetector body. The base and/or intermediate component can be engagedwith the detector body, e.g., the base can be directly engaged with thedetector body or the base can engage with the detector body via theintermediate component. The intermediate component can provide variousbenefits, particularly where the base engages with the detector body viathe intermediate component. For example, since the intermediatecomponent need not be configured to be secured to a ceiling, wall orother surface, the intermediate component need not have openings orother features to accommodate fasteners. Instead, the base alone may beconfigured with such features to allow securing of the base to a ceilingor other surface. This permits the intermediate component to beconfigured in any suitable way, e.g., for performing various functions,without concern for enabling the intermediate component to be secured toa ceiling or other surface. For example, in some embodiments theintermediate component can include fins, openings or other features todirect or otherwise have an effect on air flow to one or more componentsof the detector body. Since the intermediate component need not beconfigured to be secured to a ceiling, the intermediate component canhave larger fins, more fins, more closely spaced fins, larger openings,etc. for interacting with air flow than would otherwise be possible. Inaddition, or alternately, having a separate intermediate component froma base of a detector mount can allow for the exchange of oneintermediate component for another, e.g., to configure a detector fordifferent conditions. As an example, one location may require theintermediate component to restrict air flow in comparison to anotherlocation that requires less restricted air flow. By exchanging anintermediate component for another with different functional features,the detector can be configured for different operating conditions and/orto provide other functional features. In some cases, an intermediatecomponent and base of a detector mount can define a cavity into whichair can enter and be received by one or more detector components of thedetector body. Different intermediate components can allow for theconfiguration of different cavity features, such as enlarging orreducing the size of the cavity, providing more or less air flowrestriction, etc. FIGS. 1 and 2 show bottom and top perspective views ofa smoke detector 1 in some embodiments. As used herein, a smoke detectorcan be configured to detect any suitable environmental condition, suchas smoke, fire, heat, carbon monoxide, and/or fine particulates and sois not limited to detecting smoke. In some embodiments, the detector 1includes a mount 3 that can be configured to be secured to a surface,such as a ceiling or wall, and to support the smoke detector 1 on thesurface. In some embodiments, the detector mount 3 includes twoseparable parts such as a base 31 configured to be secured to thesurface and an intermediate component 32. A detector body 2, e.g., thatincludes components to detect an environmental condition such as smoke,fire, heat, carbon monoxide, etc. at the smoke detector 1, can besecured to the mount 3 and thus secured to a surface. In someembodiments, the intermediate component 32 can be configured toremovably engage with both the base 31 and the detector body 2 such thatthe base 31 is engaged with the detector body 2 via the intermediatecomponent 32. That is, the intermediate component 32 can be configuredto engage with the detector body 2, and to engage with the base 31 sothe base 31 and body 2 can be secured together. However, in certainembodiments, the base 31 and body 2 can be configured so that the twocan be secured together without the intermediate component 32. That is,in some embodiments, the base 31 and body 2 can be configured to engageeach other directly, without requiring the intermediate component 32,which can be simply positioned between the base 31 and body 2, engagedwith the base 31 or body 2 individually, or eliminated entirely.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the FIG. 1 embodiment with the base 31separated from the intermediate component 32 and body 2. In someembodiments, the base 31 is configured to be secured to a ceiling, wallor other surface, and may have suitable features to enable suchengagement, e.g., one or more openings 33 to receive fasteners that aresecured to the surface, adhesive and/or hook and loop fasteners, hooks,etc. Thus, the base 31 can be secured to the ceiling or other surfaceseparate from the intermediate component 32 and body 2, and thereafterthe intermediate component 32 and body 2 can be engaged with the base 31to secure the detector 1 to the surface. In some embodiments, theintermediate component 32 and the base 31 can be configured to engage byrotation of the intermediate component 32 relative to the base 31. Thus,if the intermediate component 32 is engaged with the body 2, the body 2and intermediate component 32 can be engaged with the base 31 byrotating the body 2 and intermediate component 32 relative to the base31. In some embodiments, the intermediate component 32 includes aperiphery having one or more tabs 34 configured to engage with acorresponding hook 35 on the base 31. As an example, the periphery ofthe intermediate component 32 can include a notch 34 a adjacent acorresponding tab 34 configured to receive the hook 35 of the base 31when the base 31 and intermediate component 32 are positioned adjacenteach other. With a hook 35 positioned in a corresponding notch 34 a, theintermediate component 32 (and attached body 2) can be rotated relativeto the base 31 to position a portion of the hooks 35 below acorresponding tab 34 and thereby engage the intermediate component 32(and body 2) with the base 31. Other arrangements can be used to engagethe intermediate component 32 with the base 31, such as keyhole slot andcleat engagement features, bayonet connectors, spring tabs, threads, acam and cam follower engagement, etc.

FIG. 3 also illustrates that in some embodiments the base 31 can beconfigured to define a cavity, e.g., into which a portion of theintermediate component 32 and/or a portion of the body 2 can bereceived. The base 31 can also be configured to permit air flow into thecavity, e.g., via one or more openings 36 at the sidewall of the base31. That is, the base 31 can include an upper wall (e.g., that ispositioned against a ceiling or other surface) and a sidewall thatextends downwardly from the upper wall. The sidewall can define thecavity with the upper wall and can include the openings 36 to permit airflow into the cavity. Air that enters the cavity or other space (e.g.,defined by the base 31 and intermediate component 32) can be received byone or more detector components of the detector body 2, which may be atleast partially positioned in the cavity or other space. In someembodiments, the intermediate component 32 can be configured to interactwith air in the cavity, e.g., to direct air flow to a portion of thedetector body 2 where a detector component is located. For example, theintermediate component 32 can include one or more fins 37 or otherfeatures to direct air flow toward a detector component of the detectorbody 2 or other portion 21 of the detector body 2 that is configured toreceive air from the cavity or space defined by the base 31 andintermediate component 32. The fins 37 can be equally spaced around theintermediate component 32 and extend radially outward, e.g., from anopening 38. The intermediate component 32 can include other air flowinfluencing features, such as baffles, diffusers, turbulence inducingelements, restrictors, etc. depending on the desired effect on air inthe cavity, and different intermediate components 32 can be employed tohave different effects on air in the cavity. One or more portions of thebase 31 can include air flow features as well, e.g., to direct air flow,create turbulence or mixing effects, etc. In some embodiments, the base31 can include fins, ribs or other features that are arranged counter ortransverse to fins or other air flow features 37 of the intermediatecomponent 32. FIG. 3 shows an option where the base 31 includesconcentric rings, ribs or fins, e.g., that have a center at about acenter of the opening 38 of the intermediate component 32. Theseconcentric ribs can be generally perpendicular to a nearby fin 37 andcan disrupt or cause turbulence in air flow along the direction of thefin 37. Of course, other air flow feature arrangements on the base 31can be provided.

In some embodiments, the fins or other air flow features 37 can beconfigured to direct air flow radially inward toward a center of theintermediate component 32 or other location where the detector body 2can receive air. For example, FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of theintermediate component 32 and detector body 2 and illustrates that insome embodiments the intermediate component 32 can include an opening 38through which a portion 21 of the detector body 2 can extend and/orreceive air. In some cases, the fins 37 can be configured to direct airflow toward the opening 38, and the opening 38 can be located in acenter of the intermediate component 32. In some embodiments, a portion21 of the detector body 2 can extend through the opening 38, e.g., whenthe intermediate component 32 is engaged with the body 2. The portion 21can be configured to receive air from the cavity and/or to position atleast a part of a detector component in the cavity. In some embodiments,the portion 21 can include one or more openings 22 through which air canenter the body 2.

In some embodiments, the intermediate component 32 can be removablyengageable with the detector body 2, and can be engaged/disengaged byrotation of the intermediate component 32 relative to the detector body.In some cases, the intermediate component can have a periphery with oneor more tabs 39 configured to engage with a corresponding hook 23 on thedetector body 2. FIGS. 5 and 6 show top perspective and top views of theintermediate component 32 and illustrate how the tabs 39 can extendradially outwardly from an outer periphery of the intermediate component32. In some embodiments, the intermediate component 32 can have threetabs 39 spaced 120 degrees apart around the periphery of theintermediate component 32. The hooks 23 on the detector body 2 can besimilarly positioned and configured so that the periphery of theintermediate component 32 can be received into an area between the hooks23 so long as the tabs 39 are positioned away from the hooks 23. Withthe intermediate component 32 in the area between the hooks 23, theintermediate component 32 can be rotated, e.g., clockwise, relative tothe body 2 so that the tabs 39 are received and captured by acorresponding hook 23. The tabs 39 and/or hooks 23 can include a stop sothat rotation of the intermediate component 32 beyond a certain point isprevented, e.g., when the tabs 39 are suitably engaged by the hooks 23,further rotation of the intermediate component 32 can be prevented bythe stops. In some embodiments, the hooks 23 can function as stops forengagement of the base 31 with the intermediate component 32. Forexample, with the hooks 35 of the base 31 received into the notches 34 aand the intermediate component 32 rotated so the hooks 35 engage withthe tabs 34, the hooks 35 may move into contact with the hooks 23 on thedetector body 2. At that point, further rotation of the base 31 relativeto the intermediate component 32 and body 2 can be stopped by the hooks23.

In some embodiments, the intermediate component 32 can engage with thedetector body 2 in other, or additional, ways than by the hook and tabengagement at the periphery of the intermediate component 32. Forexample, in some embodiments the detector body 2 can include one or morecatches 24 that are configured to engage with a corresponding slot 40 onthe intermediate component 32 as shown in FIG. 4 . In some embodiments,the detector body 2 can include three catches 24 positioned atcircumferentially equidistant positions on the body 2 so the catches 24all engage with a corresponding slot 24 of the intermediate component32. For example, the intermediate component 32 can be positioned on thebody 2 so that an upper portion of the catches 24 is received into acorresponding slot 40 of the intermediate component 32. With each catch24 received in a corresponding slot 40, the intermediate component 32can be rotated, e.g., clockwise, relative to the body 2 so that aportion of the intermediate component 32 at an end of each slot 40 iscaptured in a hook or recess of the catch 24. This can secure theintermediate component 32 to the detector body 2, e.g., so theintermediate component 32 cannot be removed from the body 2 withoutcounterclockwise rotation.

In some embodiments, the catches 40 can include a ramp at an uppersurface as shown in FIG. 4 that is configured to engage with and movethe intermediate component 32 toward and away from the detector body 2in response to rotation of the intermediate component relative to thebody 2. For example, the intermediate component 32 can be positioned onthe body 2 so an upper portion of the catches 24 that forms a ramp isreceived into a corresponding slot 40 of the intermediate component 32.As the intermediate component 32 is rotated, a first end of each slot 40will ride along a corresponding ramp surface of a catch 24 and thus movethe intermediate component 32 toward or away from the body 2 dependingon the direction of rotation. If the intermediate component 32 isrotated in a clockwise direction, a first end of each slot 40 will ridedownwardly along the ramp surface of the catches 24, allowing theintermediate component 32 to move gradually toward the body 2 as theintermediate component 32 is rotated and until the intermediatecomponent is fully seated on the body 2. Further clockwise rotation ofthe intermediate component 32 once it is seated will cause a portion ofa second end of each slot 40 opposite the first end to be received intoa hook or recess of a corresponding catch 24, thereby engaging theintermediate component 32 with the body 2. Counterclockwise rotation ofthe intermediate component 32 will disengage the second end of each slotfrom the catch 24 and cause the first end of each slot 40 to rideupwardly along the ramp surface of a corresponding catch 24 as theintermediate component 32 is rotated. This upward riding of the firstend of each slot 40 along the ramp surface of the catch 24 willgradually move the intermediate component 32 away from the detector body2. Thus, the intermediate component 32 and the detector body 2 can beconfigured to engage by rotation of the intermediate component 32 in afirst direction (e.g., clockwise) relative to the detector body 2, andthe ramp on a catch 24 can be configured to engage with and move theintermediate component 32 toward the detector body 2 as the intermediatecomponent 32 is rotated in the first direction toward engagement withthe body 2.

The ramp engagement can help ensure proper alignment and engagement ofthe intermediate component 32 with the body 2, e.g., by controllingmovement of the intermediate component 32 toward the body 2 duringrotation as first ends of the slots 40 follow the contour of acorresponding ramp during rotation of the intermediate component 32. Inaddition, the intermediate component 32 and the detector body 2 can beconfigured to disengage by rotation of the intermediate component 32 ina second direction (e.g., counterclockwise) opposite the first directionsuch that the intermediate component 32 moves away from the detectorbody 2 in response to rotation of the intermediate component 32 in thesecond direction (e.g., counterclockwise). This arrangement can helpensure that the intermediate component 32 is suitably disengaged fromthe body 2 in response to rotation of the intermediate component 32relative to the body 2. Note that engagement of the intermediatecomponent 32 with the body 2 can be achieved by the catches 24 and slots40 only, and without any engagement features at the periphery of theintermediate component 32.

Another feature of the intermediate component 32 is that theintermediate component 32 can operate to at least partially cover abattery location 25 where a battery 26 (a battery 26 is at the batterylocation 25 on the right in FIG. 4 ) can be received and held for use byelectronic components of the smoke detector, e.g., to receive power fromthe battery 26 and/or to charge or maintain a state of charge of thebattery 26. For example, the intermediate component 32 can help hold thebattery 26 in the battery location 25, e.g., so the battery 26 maintainsproper electrical contact with components of the detector 1.

In some embodiments, the battery location 25 can include a tamperindicator 27 configured for movement between a first position in whichthe tamper indicator 27 is positioned when a battery 26 is held in thebattery location 25 and a second position in which the tamper indicator27 is positioned when no battery 26 is held in the battery location 26.The tamper indicator 27 and the intermediate component 32 or other partof the detector mount (such as the base 31) can be configured to preventengagement of the detector body 2 with the intermediate component 32 (orother part of the detector mount) if the tamper indicator 27 is in thesecond position. This can help ensure that a battery 26 is provided withthe smoke detector 1 during operation because the detector 1 can beprevented from being mounted to a ceiling or other surface if a battery26 is not at the battery location 25. For example, where a detectormount includes an intermediate component 32, the tamper indicator 27 inthe second position can prevent portions of the intermediate component32 (such as tabs 39 or slots 40) from being positioned suitably adjacentportions of the detector body 2 (such as hooks 23 or catches 24) forengagement. As described above, in embodiments where the intermediatecomponent 32 is required to mount the detector body 2 to the base 31,failure of the intermediate component 32 to engage with the body 2 willprevent mounting of the body 2 to the base 31 as well. Conversely, thetamper indicator 27 can permit engagement of the detector body 2 withthe detector mount (e.g., the intermediate component 32 and/or base 31)if the tamper indicator 27 is in the first position. For example, thetamper indicator 27 in the first position can permit engagement of theintermediate component 32 with the body 2, and thus engagement of thebody 2 with the base 31.

In FIG. 4 , the battery location 25 on the left does not hold a battery26 and so the tamper indicator 27 is in the second position. In thesecond position, a portion of the tamper indicator 27 extends upwardlyfrom an upper surface of the detector body 2 (e.g., positioned aroundthe battery location 25) and/or from a corresponding battery location 25and so prevents engagement of the intermediate component 32 (or otherdetector mount portion) with the detector body 2. For example, asdescribed above, the intermediate component 32 can be configured toengage the detector body 2 by fitting tabs 39 underneath a portion of acorresponding hook 23 as the intermediate component 32 is rotatedrelative to the body 2. However, when in the second position, the tamperindicator 27 can hold the intermediate component 32 suitably far awayfrom the detector body 2 so that one or more tabs 39 cannot engage witha corresponding hook 23, thus preventing engagement of the intermediatecomponent 32 with the detector body 2. In addition, or alternately, thetamper indicator 27 can hold the intermediate component 32 suitably faraway from the detector body 2 so that the catches 24 cannot engage theintermediate component 32 at a corresponding slot 40. As a result, byinability of the intermediate component 32 to engage with the detectorbody 2 a user can receive an indication that a battery 26 is missingfrom a battery location 25.

The tamper indicator 27 is not limited to preventing engagement of theintermediate component 32 or other detector mount 3 element with thebody 2 by preventing components from being positioned suitably adjacenteach other. For example, when the tamper indicator 27 in the secondposition, the tamper indicator 27 can engage the intermediate component32 or other detector mount part so as to prevent rotation relative tothe body 2, e.g., so as to prevent engagement of the intermediatecomponent 32 with the body 2. For example, in some embodiments theintermediate component 32 can include one or more engagement features 41such as ribs, tabs, notches, grooves, fins, etc., that extend from orinto a lower surface of the intermediate component 32 and are configuredto engage with the tamper indicator 27 in the second position to preventrotation of the intermediate component 32 relative to the body 2. Withthis type of arrangement, the tamper indicator 27 need not necessarilyhold the intermediate component 32 suitably far away to preventengagement of the tabs 29/hooks 23 or catches 24/slots 40. Instead, theintermediate component 32 may be permitted to be positioned adjacent tothe body 2 (e.g., suitably close for engagement), but the engagementfeatures 41 can prevent relative rotation of the intermediate component32 and the body 2 needed for engagement of the two.

In some embodiments, the tamper indicator 27 can be configured to pivotabout a pivot axis 28 between the first and second positions. In somecases, the pivot axis 28 can be oriented along a direction in which thebattery 26 is received at the battery location 25. In some embodiments,the detector body 2 can have a rear surface arranged in a plane, e.g.,around the battery location 25, and the pivot axis 28 can be orientedperpendicular to the plane. In some embodiments, the detector body 2 andat least a portion of the detector mount, such as the intermediatecomponent 32, are configured to engage by relative rotation about anengagement axis 42, and the tamper indicator 27 can be configured topivot about a pivot axis 28 that is oriented along a direction parallelto the engagement axis 42. As can be seen at the left tamper indicator27 in FIG. 4 , the tamper indicator 27 can have a portion that extendsupwardly out of the battery location 25 when in the second position,whereas the tamper indicator 27 can be positioned within or flush withan entrance to the battery location 25 when in the first position asshown at the right tamper indicator 27 in FIG. 4 .

To achieve this type of movement between the first and second positions,the tamper indicator 27 can be configured to both pivot about the pivotaxis 28 and slide along the pivot axis 28, e.g., so as to move out ofand/or into the battery location 25 during pivoting between the firstand second positions. For example, as can be seen in FIG. 7 , the tamperindicator 27 can be configured to pivot within the battery location 25about the pivot axis 28 between the first and second positions and tohave a portion that extends out of the battery location 25 when thetamper indicator 27 is in the second position. For example, the tamperindicator 27 can be resiliently biased to move toward the secondposition and configured such that a battery 26 at the battery location25 holds the tamper indicator 27 at the first position. In FIG. 7 , thebattery location 25 on the left has no battery 26 positioned at thelocation 25 and so the tamper indicator 27 is in the second position. Inthis case, the tamper indicator 27 pivots within the battery location 25about the pivot axis 28 from the first to the second position. When inthe second position, the tamper indicator 27 can not only preventengagement of the intermediate component 32 with the body 2, but alsoprevent a battery 26 from being placed at the battery location 25 unlessthe tamper indicator 27 is moved. To place a battery 26 in the batterylocation 25 on the left, a user can pivot the tamper indicator 27 in aclockwise direction (as seen in FIG. 7 ) to the first position by handagainst a spring bias that urges the tamper indicator 27 to move to thesecond position. While holding the tamper indicator 27 at the firstposition, the battery 26 can be placed at the battery location 25 as canbe seen at the right battery location 25 in FIG. 7 . Alternately, a usercan use the battery 26 to move the tamper indicator 27 to the firstposition as the battery 26 is placed at the battery location 25. Forexample, a user can slide the battery 26 into the battery location 25from one end of the location 25 so that a leading end of the battery 26contacts the tamper indicator 27 and pivots the indicator 27 to thefirst position as the battery 26 is further inserted into the batterylocation 25. When received at the battery location 25, the battery 26can hold the tamper indicator 27 at the first position as shown on theright in FIG. 7 , thereby enabling engagement of the intermediatecomponent 32 with the body 2 (provided a battery 26 is at both batterylocations 25 so both tamper indicators 27 are at the first position; insome embodiments only one battery location 25 and/or one tamperindicator 27 need be employed).

The tamper indicator 27 can be configured to move between first andsecond positions in any suitable way. In some embodiments, the tamperindicator 27 moves along a spiral ramp between the first and secondpositions. For example, FIG. 8 shows a lower perspective view of aportion of the detector body 2 where the tamper indicator 27 is mounted.In this embodiment, the tamper indicator 27 is mounted on a shaft 271 ofthe detector body 2 that includes a pair of spiral ramps 272 (only oneramp 272 is shown in FIG. 8 ; a second ramp 272 is on a rear side of theshaft 271). As can be seen in FIG. 9 , the tamper indicator 27 includesan opening 273 that receives the shaft 271 so the tamper indicator 27can pivot about the pivot axis 28 on the shaft 271. A pair of camfollowers 274 are configured in a portion of the opening 273 (e.g., acounterbore portion of the opening 273) to engage with a correspondingspiral ramp 272 at a base of the shaft 271. The spiral ramps 272 and camfollowers 274 are configured so that when the tamper indicator 27 pivotsto the first position, the tamper indicator 27 moves downwardly on theshaft 271 as well as pivoting about the pivot axis 28. Conversely, whenthe tamper indicator 27 pivots to the second position, the spiral ramps272 and cam followers 274 are configured so that the tamper indicator 27moves upwardly on the shaft 271 as well as pivoting about the pivot axis28. A torsion spring 29 or other resilient element can be provided tobias or otherwise urge the tamper indicator 27 to move to the secondposition and/or upwardly on the shaft 271. Thus, if no battery 26 is ata battery location 25, the tamper indicator 27 will tend to move to thesecond position. However, with the tamper indicator 27 in the firstposition, a battery 26 can be placed at the battery location 25 and canhold the tamper indicator 27 in the first position so long as thebattery 26 is at the battery location 25. The tamper indicator 27 and/ordetector body 2 can include one or more stops to determine where thetamper indicator 27 is located at the first and second positions. Forexample, the tamper indicator 27 can include a stop 275 that can contacta corresponding stop 276 on the detector body 2 when the tamperindicator 27 is at the second position. To define the position of thetamper indicator 27 at the first position, a pin 277 of the tamperindicator 27 can contact a portion of the body 2 at the battery location25. The pin 277 can also function to contact the intermediate component32 to prevent engagement of the intermediate component 32 with thedetector body 2 when the tamper indicator 27 is in the second position.As described above, the intermediate component 32 engages with thedetector body 2 by rotation in a clockwise direction about theengagement axis 42 relative to the detector body 2. The pin 277 canengage with the intermediate component 32, e.g., at the engagementfeatures 41, to prevent rotational movement of the intermediatecomponent 32 relative to the detector body 2. The stops 275, 276 canresist movement of the tamper indicator 27 beyond the second position(e.g., counterclockwise rotation of the tamper indicator 27 about thepivot axis 28 past the second position) and so help prevent engagementof the intermediate component 32 with the body 2.

Operation of the smoke detector components, such as one or more sensorsto detect smoke, fire, heat, carbon monoxide, fine particulates, etc.can be controlled by a controller, which can include a programmedprocessor and/or other data processing device along with suitablesoftware or other operating instructions for performing desiredfunctions, one or more memories (including non-transient storage mediathat can store software and/or other operating instructions), sensors,input/output interfaces (such as a user interface on the housing),communication modules (e.g., for wired and/or wireless communication),buses or other links, a display, switches, relays, triacs, a speaker orother noise making device, a battery or other power source or supply, orother components necessary to perform desired input/output, control orother functions. A user interface can be arranged in any suitable wayand include any suitable components to provide information to a userand/or receive information from a user, such as buttons, a touch screen,a voice command module (including a microphone to receive audioinformation from a user and suitable software to interpret the audioinformation as a voice command), a visual display, one or more indicatorlights, a speaker, and so on.

While systems and methods have been described with reference to variousillustrative embodiments, such systems and methods are not limited tothe embodiments described. Thus, it is evident that many alternatives,modifications, and variations of the embodiments described will beapparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, embodiments as setforth herein are intended to be illustrative, not limiting.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: permitting air flowinto a space defined by a detector mount base and an intermediatecomponent via openings in a sidewall of the detector mount base, thedetector mount base configured to be secured to a surface and to supporta smoke detector on the surface; directing air flow in the space towarda detector component of a detector body using fins of the intermediatecomponent, the intermediate component being positioned between thedetector mount base and the detector body; permitting air flow from thespace to the detector component of the detector body; and detecting anenvironmental condition based on the air flow from the space to thedetector component.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein directing air flowincludes using the fins of the intermediate component to direct air flowin the space toward an air receiving area of the detector body.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein directing air flow includes using the fins ofthe intermediate component to direct air flow radially inwardly towardthe detector component of the detector body.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein directing air flow includes directing the air flow toward anopening of the intermediate component through which the detectorcomponent receives air.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein permitting airflow from the space to the detector component includes permitting airflow to a portion of the detector body located in the space defined bythe detector mount base and the intermediate component.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein permitting air flow from the space to the detectorcomponent includes receiving air through an opening of the intermediatecomponent at which the detector component is located.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising positioning a portion of the detectorcomponent in the space defined by a detector mount base and anintermediate component.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising atleast partially enclosing the space by removably engaging theintermediate component with the detector mount base.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein engaging the intermediate component with the detectormount base includes rotating the intermediate component relative to thedetector mount base.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprisingattaching the detector body to the detector mount base by engaging theintermediate component with both the detector mount base and thedetector body such that the detector mount base is engaged with thedetector body via the intermediate component.
 11. The method of claim10, wherein engaging the intermediate component with the detector bodyincludes engaging one or more tabs at a periphery of the intermediatecomponent with a corresponding hook on the detector body.
 12. The methodof claim 10, wherein engaging the intermediate component with thedetector body includes engaging one or more hooks of the detector bodywith a corresponding slot of the intermediate component.
 13. The methodof claim 10, wherein the intermediate component and the detector bodyare configured to engage by rotation of the intermediate component in afirst direction relative to the detector body, the method furthercomprising moving the intermediate component away from the detector bodyby rotating of the intermediate component in a second direction oppositethe first direction relative to the detector body and engaging a ramp onone of the hooks with the intermediate component.
 14. The method ofclaim 10, wherein engaging the intermediate component with the detectormount base includes rotating the intermediate component relative to thedetector mount base.
 15. The method of claim 10, wherein engaging theintermediate component with the detector mount base includes engagingone or more tabs at a periphery of the intermediate component with acorresponding hook on the detector mount base.
 16. The method of claim10, wherein engaging the intermediate component with the detector bodyincludes at least partially covering a battery location of the detectorbody with the intermediate component.
 17. The method of claim 1, whereinthe intermediate component is removably engaged with the detector mountbase to define the space.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein permittingair flow into the space includes receiving air radially inwardly intothe space via the openings.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein directingair flow toward the detector component includes directing the air flowin a direction parallel to a plane of the surface.
 20. The method ofclaim 1, wherein directing air flow toward the detector componentincludes using the fins to direct air from the openings to an airreceiving area of the detector component.